Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the future, if any, he envisages for Shannon Development. [9937/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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In July 2009, the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes was published. Among several recommendations contained within the Report was the proposed discontinuation of Shannon Development. As with all Group recommendations relevant to my Department I am examining the recommendation in the context of a new Government approach and evaluating its potential impact on the provision of services to enterprise and on my efforts to promote employment.

Most recently, I have received the final report of the Mid West Task Force. I expect to discuss the report with the Chairman of Shannon Development and to publish the report in the near future.

The Government has approved the preparation of a new capital investment framework for the period from 2012. This will involve a review of planned public capital programmes in order to identify programmes and projects that will best support economic recovery. On this basis, the role of Shannon Development will be examined together with the roles and impact of all Capital Expenditure Programmes and all Agencies under the aegis of my Department.